Canine Liver Disease

Liver Enzyme and Elevated Liver Enzymes

Canine liver diseases is frequently see in my practice. Based on my solid experience I can give you best information on liver disease symptoms and what you can do to help your dogs health.

Yes, you can do a lot to help your friend if some liver problem do become a worry. That's important to know. But, before we touch that subject on liver supplements, let's touch some basics.

What can cause liver diseases in dogs?

• Congenital Diseases
• Hepatic Shunts (causing Hepatic Encephalopathy)


• Metabolic Diseases
• Deposition of fat in liver (ex Obesity,Diabetes, Hypothyroidism)
• Cobber accumulation


• Inflammations
• Distemper
• Chronic Hepatitis
• Hepatic Cirrhosis


• Medicines
• Corticosteroids
• Epilepsy medicine


• Liver Cancer
• Congestive Heart Disease

Photo courtesy of Mike Baird

As you see lot of different causes and diseases. Some more liver related than others. Sometimes the liver reaction is primary. Or it can be secondary as in Congestive heart diseases.

Do you need more facts about liver problem symptoms?

Symptoms Of Liver Diseases

Here you will find the answers to your questions on canine liver disease symptoms. What are the most frequent symptoms seen in practice? Want some real life story from my practice? Well you find it all here.

Diagnostic Blood Samples

Here you find very usefull information about the most common blood test used in veterinary medicine to judge the liver health status.

• Liver Enzymes:

  Blood samples are so important. This is the place to begin, if your vet suspects canine liver disease and dog health problem.

  But, what about this when you are returning home. Can you remember it all. Lot of abbreviations, and different kind of conclusions you can make from the different blood liver enzymes.

  You will find explanations about differences between ALT and ALKP their value in practice. Use this as a guide when you are back home. Feeling confused and worried. You need basic information about elevated liver enzymes.

• Bile Acids:

  Bile Acid Test is often used. This is a non specific test. but, it tell us how bad the liver cells are stressed. Normally liver cells are very effective in reabsorb the bile acids from the portal blood (blood from the intestines).

  Bile acids are used in the digestion. After they are reabsorbed they are used again in the digestion process of fats.

  You can find much more about Bile Acid Test, how it is uesd and what it tell Here

• Billirubin:

  What is it? or Where does it come from and what does it tell? Both questions (and some more) you find in this article here.

Photo courtesy of Mike Baird

What You can do?

Your veterinarian will make the diagnosis and start the treatment. Probably using some medicine on prescription. But, some supplements important in liver disease in dogs are not on prescription. They can be used by you.

The liver nutritional supplements I am considering is:

• Adenosylmethionine (or Denosyl)
• Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle is used a lot. Are you wondering how it can be so beneficial or if it should have some side effects? Well, you get the information you are looking fore at benefits of milk thistle and at milk thistle side effects.

And don't forget Liver Food which has been developed to meet the nutritional needs in canine liver disease.